"I think LSU, I think they have some of the best pass-rushing defenses every single year in college football, so obviously, they're going to be really good up front," Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham said. "That front seven is going to be extremely good, just like every year. We're going to have a great plan for protections and blitzes and all that stuff. I'm looking forward to getting a little bit deeper in that the rest of this week and see how we can handle it on Saturday."

LSU is tied with Auburn atop the SEC and tied for second nationally with nine sacks already this season. Ed Orgeron's team had four in its season-opening thrashing of then-No. 8 Miami and followed it up with five sacks last weekend against FCS Southeastern Louisiana.

Sophomore safety Grant Delpit has led the charge with two sacks, while the other seven have come from LSU's front seven, including linebackers Michael Divinity Jr. and Ray Thornton, and defensive linemen Breiden Fehoko, Neil Farrell Jr. and Justin Thomas.

"I think they're tied for the lead in our league right now rushing the passer and they got after both opponents really good," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "It's not just one guy. They do it by a group. They'll bring some linebacker pressure. Bringing a little bit more pressure the first couple of games probably than they have in the past. They've got good cover guys in the back end that allow them to do that."

That group will look to make things difficult on Stidham, who has faced pressure on just 29.4 percent of his third- and fourth-down dropbacks this season, according to CFB Film Room analysis, and been sacked just twice -- both against Washington -- this season.

Despite breaking in three new starters on the right side of the offensive line, Auburn has done a generally good job of both keeping Stidham upright and preventing negative plays. The team has allowed just the two sacks in Week 1 and is tied for fifth national while allowing just five negative plays through two games.

"I think you'll see, as long as we stay healthy, you'll see that group continue to grow, continue to get better communicating with all the things that go with it," Malzahn said. "It's just going to be a matter of can we stay healthy."

Two of those linemen, right guard Mike Horton and right tackle Jack Driscoll, are dealing with minor injuries they sustained against Alabama State. Both have practiced this week and are expected to play against LSU on Saturday.

Kaleb Kim, meanwhile, has impressed Malzahn with his progress at center through two starts, while the left side of the line -- left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. and left guard Marquel Harrell -- have performed particularly well early this season. According to Pro Football Focus analysis, Wanogho was the highest-graded offensive player in the SEC last week.

The expectation is for the offensive line to continue to improve as the starting five get more experience together, and this weekend's matchup against LSU's defensive front and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will provide the unit's toughest test to date.

"It definitely helps; I think those guys have been gelling really well together," Stidham said. "Obviously, myself and them, our chemistry together has been really, really good. Experience and playing together is only going to help that grow. So, I've seen improvement all the way from the start of fall camp until now."